Metal removing machine



Jan. 11, 1938. A. OBERHOFFKEN METAL REMOVING MACHINE Filed June 2, 19344 Sheets-Sheet 1 :IFE

ENTOQ c/eyander @ewa/#fen CATVoQm-:Ys

' Jan. 11, 1938. A OBERHOFFKEN 2,104,756

METAL REMOVI NG MACHINE Filed June 2, 1954 4 sheets-'sheet 2 Ofi/@XanderOber/70,44

@ M, @Maa/m CATTOQNEYS Jan. 11,1938.

A. OBERHOFFKEN METAL REMOVING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet3 Jan. 1l., 1938. A OBERHOFFKEN 2,104,756

` METAL REMOVING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l!wx*7////////////////l` 4 /ENTOQ. (p7/@Xander Ober/705%@ v W 0W x MwQCJTTOQNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1938 APATENT orrics METAL REMOVING MAGHINEAlexander Oberhoken, Rockford, lll., aslixnor to ThelngersollMilling'Machine Company, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication June 2,1934, serial No. 728,109

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new and improved metalremovingmachine.- v

One'of the objects'of' the present invention r sides in the provision ofa novel machine in which a series of similar work pieces are advancedsuccessively through a plurality of alignedlwork stations, and in whichafter each positioning of the Work pieces a. vtool element is movable ina single unidirectional stroke or traverse to perform similar operationson different narts'of the work pieces.

' A further object is to provide a new and L...- proved machine of theforegoing characterjn which the work pieces are advanced consecutivelythrough the work stations in a direction opposite to that ofthe metalremoving traverse of the tool element.

.Still another object is to provide novel means located between adjacentwork stations for facilitating the inversion and advance of each workpiece where diierent faces vor sides are to be operated on in successiveoperations.

A more specific object resides in the provision of the work invertingmeans in the form of a rotary barrel which is movable into onepredetermined position to receive a work piece from'one station, theninto another position to permit .the work piece to be advanced intoanother station, and finally into a third position to permit thetraverse of the tool element, and which comprises means for locating andlocking the barrel selectively in these positions.

A further object is to provide novel interlock means for preventing thetool element from being traversed until the barrel is located in thethird or inoperative position.

Another object resides in the provision of a new and improved machine inwhich the tool element is carried by a tool head movable on elongatedguideways along one side of the aligned work lstations andin'overhanging relation to the work pieces, and in which an auxiliaryguide for the overhanging portion of the head is provided along theother side of ,the work stations.

A further object is to provide novel means for taking up slack in aflexible electric power inlet cable leading to the tool head forall'positi'ons of the latter alongthel aligned work stations.

Other objects and advantages will become apparentas the descriptionproceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure-l` is a fragmentary frontv'elevationalview jof a machine embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a Ifragmentary rear elevational view of one end of themachine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryrightend view of the machine.

Fig. 4 is al diagrammatic viewy of the drive means for the cuttingelement andtool head and the electric wiring diagram therefor.

Athrough one of the work stations and taken along line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through another of thework stations and taken along line S- J-S of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7. is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the inverting meansbetween the work stations and taken along line l-l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view ofthe inverting meansshown in Fig. 7A and taken along line 8-8 of.Flg. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail view-taken along line. 9--9 of- Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the machine constitutingthe illustrative embodiment of the invention comprises Aan elongatedhorizontal machine framev having a base section I@ adapted to b emounted on the door, and a superimposed guide section i I on the rearportion of the base section. A plurality of work stations are located onthe forward portion of thebase section I0. In the present instance,there are shown two operating stations I2and I3 and one intermediatetransfer station it.

The top of the guide section II is formed with parallel horizontalguideways I5 extending along the rear of the work stations I2, `I3 andIt. Slidably mounted on the guideways I5 for power translation is asuitable tool head lI6 carrying a tool element I1'. The tool head I6 maybe provided in any desired form adapted for the particular metalremoving operation to be performed.

Preferably, the tool head I6 has a laterally exltending tool unit I8 inwhich the element I1 is supported in Ioverhanging relation to the work`rapid approach tothe station I3, a slowoperating feed. through thisstation.- a rapid approach'to the station I2, a slowoperatlng feedthrough thev last mentioned station, and an idle rapid return. Aftereachcycle, the work `pieces are advanced progressively one step along thework stations. Preferably, the vwork-pieces are advanced in' a directionopposite tok that of the operative stroke of the tool head I8. Thus',the workpiece in the station I Sisv discharged `from the Amachine vontoahorizontal conveyor I9; the workpiece in the station I2 is advancedintothe station I3;

and a nevwwork piecefroma horizontal con#- veyor 2l is positioned in thestation i2. Instead of vpositioning workplaces only in the stations` I2and i), itwill beunderstood that-each workpiece after leaving the firststation I2 may be retained in the transfer station I4 during thesucceeding cycle, and then be advanced into the station I3.

It is possible by orientating the work pieces diierently in thesuccessive stations I2 and I3 to cause the tool element I1 to performsimilarmetal removing operations. on different parts, surfaces or facesof the work pieces. The adjustment of the work pieces may beaccomplished conveniently in the transfer station I4.

The invention, as embodied lin the machine and method herein disclosed,although not limited to any particular kind of work or type of metalremoving process, is especially adapted for successively milling theflat bottom and top surfaces or faces of internal combustion engineblocks 2|. For this purpose, the tool element `I1 is shown in the formof a depending end face milling cutter rotatable on a vertical axis. Thetypical form of engine block 2|, selected for purposes of illustration,has at parallel bottom and top faces 22 and 23. The bottom face 22 isinterrupted by similar recesses 24 in the end walls of the block.

The rst station I2 is dened by a work ilxture (see Figs. 1, 3, and 5)which 'comprises a hollow frame 25 rigidly mounted on the base sectionI5 adjacent the right end 'and against the front wall of the guidesection II. The right and left end walls of the frame 25 are formedrespectively with openings 26 and 21 for the endwise insertion anddischarge of the engine blocks 2|. The

4 top of the frame 25 is also open, and is provided 20. The support 30now with an apertured plate 28 through which the facel 22 normallyconstituting the bottom of the engine block 2| is presented to thecutting tool |1. Rigirily. spanning the opening in the plate 251s across bar 29 adapted'to interflt accurately with the recesses 24 so asto locate the engine block 2| laterally and vertically in the desiredrelationship to the cutting tool I1.

A work support or platform 35 is mounted for vertical adjustment withinthe frame 25. After each cutting operation, the support 35 is adapted tobe lowered to release the surfaced block 2| and permit its removal tothe transfer station |4. and then to receive another block from theconveyor is adapted to be elevated to clamp the last block in positionagainst the locating bar 29. In its preferred form. the support 39comprises a plurality of transverse rollers 3| which are journaled inparallel horizontal guide bars 32. 'I'he rollers 3| and bars 32constitute -a conveyor for approximately locating the block 2| and forfacilitating its passage through the fixture.; Rigidlyrsecuredto theuriderside of the support 35 is a verticalA non-rotatable adjustingscrew 33 in threaded engagement with an elongated nut 34. The latterextends through and bears rotatably in a bore 35 formed in a bearingbracket 35 integral with the frame 25. The upper end of the bore 35 iscounterbored to receive a vertical thrust bearing 31- A peripheralflange 38 on the nut 34 seats on the bearing 31. The lower end of thenut 34 is connected through bevel gears 39 and 45 to a transverse shaft4| which is journaled in and extends through an elongated bearing 42 inthe front wall of the frame 25, and which is provided on its outer end.with a hand wheel 43.

The second operating station |3 is defined by a work fixture V(see Figa1 and 6) comprising a hollow frame 44 rigidly mounted on the basesection I5 and against the front wall of the guide section II.-'.Iheframc 44 is open at the top, and

.hence permits the latter the barrel 53 into station I3. (E

has an upstanding rear wall 45. An apertured plate 46 is positionedacross the top of the frame 44, and supports two parallel longitudinalguide rails 41 adapted to receive the engine block 2| from thetransfer'station |4. Rigidly mounted 5 on the front portion of the plate46 is a vertical front wall 45 extending parallel to the wall 45. Inthis fixture, the block 2| is supported in upright position with theupper face 23 presented to the cutting tool I1. Suitable longitudinalguide bars 49 on the inner sides of the walls 45 and 48 serve to locatethe block 2| approximately in position., The block 2| is held against alocating abutment 50 on the rear wall 45 by a clamp screw 5| and againstthe rails 4,1 by an inclined clamp screw 52. Both of the screws 5|and152 are threaded through the front wall 48.

The transfer station I4 comprises suitable means for receiving theblocks 2| singly from the station I2, inverting them through degrees,and facilitating their removal to the station I3. In the presentinstance, this means (see Figs. 'I to 9) comprises a rotatable barrel 53mounted on a horizontal axis in alignment with the stations l2 and |3.The barrel 53 is constructed of two circular end plates 54 and 55rigidly connected in spaced relation by a plurality of longitudinal drawbolts 55, and mounted at spaced points at their lower edges on two setsof flanged rollers 51 and 58 iournaled respectively on the adjacent endwalls of the frames 25 and 44.

The end plates 54 and 55 are formed with centrally located alignedopenings 59 and 50 corresponding generally in size and shape to the endsof the blocks 2|. Extending longitudinally through the barrel 53 betweenthe openings 59 and 55 are two parallel guide conveyors between whichthe blocks 2| are adapted to be positioned. One conveyor comprises aseries of rollers 5| :lournaled in angle bars 52, and adapted 4forengagement with the relatively narrow faces 23 of the blocks 2|. Theother conveyor comprises a like series of rollers 53 journaled inanglebars 54 and adapted to support the relatively wide faces 22 of theblocks,2|. The angle bars 52 and 54 are anchored at their ends againstthe end plates 59 and 50, and serve to increase the rigidity ofthebarrel 53.

A locating bar 55, adapted to fit into the recesses 24 of the blocks 2extends along the conveyor 53, and is attached at opposite ends to theplates 54 and 55. It will be evident that the blocks 2| in theirmovement through the station I4 are slidable along the bar 55, and arethereby held against lateral displacement. A spring de- 55 vtent 55 ismounted in the bar 55, and projects laterally therefromfr'engagementwittr the inside of the leading end wall of each block 2| as the latteris advanced into position within the barrel 53, and serves beingreturned to the station |2. The projecting end of the detent 55 isbeveled for snap over engagement by the end walls of the blocks 2|, andto be transferred from The barrel 53 has three angular positions ofadjustments The first position is determined by engagement of two lugs61 on the end plates 54 and 55 with the outer rollers 51 and 58. In thisposition (see Fig. 9), the guideway 6| is aligned 7 with the loweredwork support l3|'I to receive the blocks 2| singly from the station i2.A fixed labutment. 55* limits the inward movement of the The secondposition is similarly deterlugs 55 on the end 7 block. mined by.engagement of two to prevent the block from 6( grogne plates 54 and 55with the inner rollers 51 and 58 upon angular adjustment of the barrel53 through 180 degrees. In this position (see Fig. 8), the block 2|clears the abutment 66, and the guideway 63 is aligned with the guiderails 41 for removal of the block to the station '|3. The third position(see Fig. 7), is intermediate the first and second positions, and isadapted to be occupied by the barrel 53 during the'machine operation. Inthis position, the lugs 51 and 88 are disposed upwardly. The end plates54 and 55 are formed with recesses 69 between the lugs 1 61 and 68 toprovide clearance for the passage of the cutting tool I1 in its machine.

Formed in the periphery of the end plate 55 are three radial recesses orbores 10, 7|, and '|2, spaced degrees apart and adapted for engagementby a detent 'I3 to loci.: the barrel 53 selectively in either of itsthree positions of adjustment. The detent 13 is carried by a hand lever14 projecting to the front of the machine, and pivoted at its rear endon the frame 94. A spring pressed plunger 15 acts against the undersideof the lever 14, 'and tends to urge the detent 19 against the peripheryof the end plate 55.

The tool head I6 may be provided in any suitable form adapted for theparticular metal removing operation to be performed, and preferably is aself-contained unit embodying power means for driving the cutting toolI1 and translating it through a predetermined program of rapid traverseand feed movements along the guide section as disclosed in PatentNo.2,040,872. The translatory drive (see Fig. 4) comprises an elongated nut16 mounted for rotation in the underside of the tool head I6, andthreaded on a fixed screw Ti extending longitudinally of the guidesection The opposite ends of the screw Tl are anchored in mountingbrackets 78 on the ends of the section il.

Rotation is imparted to the cutting tool i1 by an electric feed motor'F9 in the head I6. The drive extends from the motor i9 through gears 9Uand 8|, a shaft 92, gears 99 and 89, a shaft and gears 96 and 81 to avertical spindle 99 on which the tool Il is mounted. v

The nut 'i6 is adapted to be driven through a differential mechanism 99either by the feed motor 'I9 for the feed movements or by the feed motorand a reversible electric rapid traverse motor 90 for the rapid traversemovements. By reversing the rotation of the motor 99, the rapid traversemovement of the tool head i9 may be reversed.

Electric power for the motors 'F9 and 90 is available from three supplymains Li, In, and La under the control 'of a switch 9| adapted to beclosed upon excitation of a coil 92. All of the mains lead directly tothe motor 'I9 so that the latter will operate continuously when theswitch 9| is closed. To close the switch 9|, either of two manualstarting switches 99 and 96 is closed momentarily. Assuming that theswitch 93 is closed, the following circuit will be established: from themain L1, through a line 95, the switch 93, a line 96, a coil 91, and aline 99 to the main la. Excitation of the coil 91 will close a switch 99to establish the following circuit: from the main L1, through the line95, a normally cled manual stop switch |09, a line |9i, a secondnormally closed manual stop switch |92, a line |99, a normally closedautomatic stop switch |94, a line |95, the switch 99, a line |05, thecoll 92, and the line 98 to'the main La.

movement along the If the switch "Il is closed instead of the switch 93,the following equivalent circuit will be established; from the main Li,through the line 95, the switch |90, the line IM, the switch 91|, a line|91, the coil 92 and the line 99 to the main In.

Excitation of thecoil 92 serves to close the main switch 9| and a.holding switch |99 which shunts the switches 94 and 99 and maintains theexciting circuit through the stop switches |00, |02 and: |04. Theswitches 93 and |00 are mounted on the base section i0, and the switches94 and |02 are located on the tool head4 I6. 'Ihey afford selectivelyavailable manual means for starting and stopping the operation of themachine.

The main Li leads directly to the motor 90, but the connection of themains In and La thereo is controlled automatically by two sets ofswitches |99 and |0 operable selectively to start, reverse or stop themotor. Operation of lthe switches |09 and H9 is under the controlrespectively of two rotary cams and 2 which are mounted on a cam shaftH9 adapted to be indexed step-by-step through a plurality of positionsover one complete revolution during each complete cycle of the tool headI9. A third cam H9 on the shaft H3 is operable to open the stop switch|96 at the end of the cycle.

In the present instance, the tool head i6 is movable through a. programconsisting of a rapid traverse, a. feed, a rapid traverse and a feed inone direction, and a rapid traverse ih the opposite direction. Hence,the cam shaft H3 has eight uniformly spaced positions. In the initialposition, illustrated in Fig. 4,'fthe switches |09 are closed and theswitches H9 are open to eiect operation of the motor 99. The switches H0are held open during rotation of the shaft 3 through the first fourpositions. In the second position, the switches |99 are opened to stopthe motor 99 and institute the rst feed movement. The switches |99 againare closed in the third position to reestablish the rapid traverse.

In the fourth position, the switches |99 are The cam shaft |99 isindexed in predetermined relation to the movements of the tool head I6by a ratchet mechanism H5 operable periodically by a series ofadjustable cam lugs ||6 on a rotary disk ||1 driven from lthe sleeve 76.It will be evident that the lugs H9 may be relatively adjusted to varythe duration of the traverse and feed movements in accordance with therequirements of the work pieces.

An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the tool head I9 unlessthe barrel 59 is in its `idle position as shown in Fig. 7. Preferably,the interlock comprises a normally open switch ||8 which is adaptedto'be closed by engagement with an abutment H9 on the end` plate 99. Theswitch H9 is interposed in the line 95, and therefore controls thecircuits for energizing the coil 92.

The various electric lines leading from the main switch 9| to the toolhead i9 are united in a single insulated cable |29. Since the cable ismade oflsubstantial length to accommodate the long range of movement ofthe tool head.

' respectively 1 pieces inv the aligned stations.

lary means is provided for supporting and guidmeans is provided fortaking up the'slack in the cable at all times. This means (see Fig. 2)com prises a sheave I2I portion of the cable is directed and which isrotatable in a carriage |22 movable along a guide rail |23 at the rearof the base section I0. One end of the cable |20 is connected to thetool head I6 and the other end is connected to the base section I0 atapproximately the midpoint of the range of movement. To urge the sheave|2I yieldably against the electric cable |20, a flexible rope or cable|24 is connected at oneend to the carriage |22 and is wound at the otherend about a rotatable drum |25 mounted on the left end of the basesection I0. A torsion spring |26 tends to rotate the drum |25 in adirection to wind up the cable |24.

The tool unit I8 overhangs the forward portion of the base section I0 toposition the cutting tool I1 for successive engagement with the workPreferably, auxiling the forward end of the tool unit |23. This means(see Figs'. l and 5 to 8) comprises a guideway |21 parallel to theguideways i5 and located at the front of the work stations. The guideway|21 consists of a series of aligned sections formed in a block |28mounted on the forof the plate 23, in a bridge member |29 extendingbetween the stations I2 and i3, and in the top of the wall 58. Theforward end of the tool unit I8 is formed with a guide |30 slidable inthe guideway |21. A gib platel IM is mounted on the block |26, .thebridge member |29 and the wall @t and overlies the guide |30 to corinnethe latter in the guideway |21.

The operation will be evident from the foregoing description, andbrieflysummarized is as follows: A series of engine blocks 2| areadvanced progressively through the stations i2 and I3. As each block 2|is transferred from the station I2 to the station |3, it is inverted sothat different surfaces thereof are presented to the ward edge cuttingtool I1 in successive operations. At the end of each cycle ofoperations, the finished block in the station I3 is discharged onto theconveyor I9; the partially'finished block inthe station I2 is invertedand then positioned in the station I3; and a new block from the conveyor20 is -positioned in the station I2. If desired, each block as it leavesthe station I2 may be retained in the transfer station I4 during thevsucceeding cycle. and then advanced into the station I3. The cuttingtool I1 one direction acts successively to perform similar operations ondifferent surfaces of the work pieces.

I claim as my invention:

1. A machine tool comprising. in combination, an elongated base, aplurality of work fixtures mounted in spaced relation along said baseand adapted to support a series of like Work pieces respectively indifferent angular positions, a tool head mounted on said base formovement in a unidirectional cutting stroke successively into operativerelation with said nxtin'es-to perform similar metal removing operationson different surfaces of said work pieces, and drive means forreciprocating said tool head first in said cutting stroke through aseries of rapid approach and feed movements for each fixture lan'dthe'riin a continuous rapid traverse return stroke.

2. A- machine tool comprising'in combination, an elongated base, mountedin spaced relationlalong' said over which the intermediate in eachoperative stroke in a plurality 'bi' work fixtures 'adapted to support aseries of like work pieces respectively in different angular positions,a tool head mounted on said base for movement in a unidirectionalcutting stroke successively into operative relation with said fixturesto perform similar metal removing operations on different sur- 1 facesof said work pieces, drive means for recip.

rocating said tool head, means by which the work pieces may be advancedprogressively through said ilxtures in a direction opposite said cuttingstroke, and means for adjusting the angular position of each work piecein its passage from any one fixture to the next xture.

3. A machine tool comprising, in combination, an elongated horizontalbase having longitudinal guideways, two work fixtures mounted on saidbase in spaced relation along said guideways and adapted to support twoof a series of work pieces movable progressively therethrough, means forreceiving a work piece from one fixture, inverting the Work piecethroughdegrees and then permitting removal of the work piece into the otherfixture, a tool unitmounted on said base for reciprocation in acontinuousstroke along said guideways to act successively on the workpieces in the respective fixtures and power drive means for said toolunit.

4. A machine tool comprising, in combination, an elongated base, twowork fixtures mounted in spaced relation along said uiase and adapted tosupport two of a series of work piecesv movable progressivelytherethrough, means adjustable into one position to receive a work piecefrom one fixture, then through 180 degrees to invert the work piece andpermit removal thereof into the other fixture, and then into aninoperative position, a tool unit mounted on said base for reciprocationin a unidirectional stroke along said base to act successively on thework pieces in the respective fixtures, power drive means for said toolunit, and interlock' means for preventing the operation of said last.mentioned means unless said first mentioned means is in said inoperativeposition.

5. A machine tool having, in combination, an elongated base, a tool headhaving self-contained electric drive means and mounted for reciprocationon said base, an electric cable connected at one end to said tool headand being of sufficient length toaecommodate the movement of said toolhead on said base, a sheave mounted for movement along said base andengaging an intermediate portion of said table, a rotatable springpositions of said tool head. ,Y

6. A machine tool comprising, in combination,D

an elongated base having longitudinal guideways, a plurality of workfixtures mounted in spaced relation along said base, a. tool unitmounted on said guideways at one side of said fixtures for reciprocationsuccessively into operative relation with said fixtures and having aportioninioverhanging relation to said fixtures, auxiliary means forslidably supporting and guiding said overhanging portion at the oppositeside of said fixtures, and means foidriving said tool unit.

7. a machine tool, a work fixture comprising, in (combination, a hollowframe, a guide conveyor leading to one end of said frame, asecond guideconveyor leading from the other end of" adjustment in said frame anddefining a longioverlying said support, and means for adjusting saidsupport vertically to clamp the work against said locating means or torelease the'work and 5 lower said last mentioned conveyor into alignmentwith said flrst mentioned conveyors.

8. In a machine tool, a Work xture comprising, in combination, a hollowframe having au inlet opening at one side and an outlet opening at theother side, a work support mounted for vertical adjustment in said frameand deining a guide conveyor extending between said openings, worklocating means overlying said support, and means for adjusting saidsupport vertically to clamp the Work against said locating means or torelease the work.

9. In a machine tool, a work xture comprising, in combination, a hollowframe adapted to receive a work piece through one end and to dischargethe work piece from the other end, spaced guide rails in said frame tosupport the work, means for locating the work laterally of said rails,and means for clamping the work in position against said rails and saidlocating means.

10. In-a machine tool, a work fixture comprising a rotatable barrelhaving generally circular end plates and means for securing 'said platesin spaced relation, guide rollers for supporting said end plates forrotary adjustment, means for i locating said barrel selectively in anyone of three different angular positions spaced 90 degrees apart, twoparallel opposed'guideways extending longitudinally through said barreland adapted selectively to support the work upon i angular adjustment ofsaid barrel into one or the other of its extreme positions,xand meansfor locking said barrel releasably in any one of said positions ofadjustment.

-11. In a machine tool, a work fixture compris- 0 ing, in combination, arotatable frameopen at one end to receive the work blank and at theother end to discharge the blank, two parallel supports extendinglongitudinally through said frame and adapted respectively to supportthe 5 work piece uponadjustment of said frame into diiferent angularpositions, and means for locating said frame selectively in any one ofsaid positions of adjustment.y 12. A machine tool organizationhaving, in

,0 combination, two xtures arranged in spaced relation to supportsimilar work pieces, a conveyor by which a work piece may be advancedfrom one of said xtures to the other, means providing elongatedguideways extending along said coni5 veyor, a head movable along saidguideways, a

vtool arranged-on said head for operative association with the workpieces in said fixtureaand power driven means for moving said head alongsaid guideways to present said tool to said workl 0 pieces successivelyin a continuous unidirectional stroke .of the head.

13. A machine ltool organization having, in

combination, two fixtures arranged in spaced ,v relation to supportsimilar work pieces in dier- 6 ent positions, a conveyor by which a workpiece may be advanced from one of said fixtures to the other, meansprovidingv an elongated slideway' alongside said conveyor, a headmovable along said slideway, a tool arranged on said head for ooperative association with the work pieces in said fixtures, and powerdriven means for advancing said head in a continuous unidirectionalstroke at cutting rates during engagement of said tool and said workpieces and at rapid traverse rates 5 in passing from one work piece tothe other.

with surfaces thereof to be machined facing upwardly, an elongatedslideway' extending transversely of both of said fixtures, a tool headmovable along said slideway and having a tool thereon arranged foroperative association withv the work pieces in said xtures to machinethe upper surfaces thereof, power driven means for moving said head in acontinuous unidirectional strokeand at cutting speeds during engagementof the tool with thev work pieces in said fixtures, at rapid traversespeed in passing from one wo'rk piece to the next, and in a continuousstroke at rapid traverse speed in returning the head past both of saidfixtures.

15. A machine tool organization comprising. in combination, an elongatedbase providing a longitudinal guideway, a work xture mounted at one sideof said base, a tool unit guided by said guideway at one side of saidfixture and having an extension projecting laterally so as to overly awork piece in said fixture, a rotary cutting tool mounted in saidextension for operative association with the work piece in said fixture,power driven means for rotating the tool in advancing said unit alongsaid guideway, and auxiliary means spaced laterally from said guidewayand slidably supporting and guiding the overhanging portion of saidextension.

16.,A machine tool organization comprising, in combination, two fixturesfor supporting similar pieces of work in spaced relation, a conveyor bywhich work pieces may be advanced successively through-said xtures inone direction, a tool head carrying a rotary cutting tool, meansslidably supporting said head for movement along said xtures to bringsaid tool into cutting engagement successively with work piecessupported in said fixtures, and power driven means for advancing saidhead in a continuous unidirectional stroke at cutting speeds past saidxtures in a direction opposite to that in which said work pieces areconveyed through said fixtures.

1'1.v A machine tool organization having, in combination, two fixturesarranged in spaced relation and adapted to support similar work pieceswith dlierent side surfaces thereof disposed in a common cutting line,conveyor means by which said worlr pieces may be moved successivelythrough said fixtures, an elongated slideway extending along saidiixtures, a tool head movable 'along said slideway and having a rotarycutting tool thereon arranged to perform a metal remov- ,ing operationin said cutting line on the work pieces in said xtures, and power drivenmeans combination, means providing an elongated slideway, a tool headguided in said slideway and havfing a rotary cutting tool mountedthereon, a work 'l fixture mounted at one side of said slideway forsupporting a work piece to be operated upon by said tool, a secondslideway disposed 'parallel to -said rst mentioned slideway on the sideof said xture opposite the first mentioned slideway, and means on saidtool head engaging said second slideway during operativeengagement ofsaid tool and a work piece in said xture whereby to v support theoverhanging portion of said head during such engagement.

ALEXANDER OBERHOFFKEN.

